Brazil requires that citizens of most countries obtain a visa to enter.  The Brazilian Consulate General will determine the duration of stay upon receiving an application.  The types and categories differ according to the purpose of visit, length of stay and respective arrangement with the country of the foreign national.

• VITUR – Tourists visiting friends/relatives, sightseeing or unpaid participants in a conference/competition
  • WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR A BRAZIL TOURIST VISA?
    • A)  Tourists, for leisure, or visiting friends or relatives;
    • B)  Attendees and/or unpaid speakers (daily allowances are permitted) in conferences and seminars. An invitation letter from the sponsoring organization in Brazil is required. Exclusion: 1) if the applicant will be participating on a trade show, please apply for a VITEM II; 2)  if the applicant will be receiving an honorarium for giving a lecture, please apply for a VITEM-I;
    • C)  Unpaid participants in athletic or artistic events or competitions. There cannot be payment for the applicant’s participation in the event/competition or paid admission charged on the venue. Prize money is permitted. Exclusion: if the event will charge an admission fee or if the athletes/artist will be receiving payment to participate on the event, please apply for a VITEM III.
    • D)  Bearers of a Visa Extension Protocol given by the Federal Police or by the Ministry of Justice or those with permanent residency in Brazil with an expired/lost RNE and need a visa to travel back to Brazil.
    • Brazil has visa waiver agreements with certain countries. Please consult the visa chart to verify if you need to have a visa to go to Brazil

• VITEM I – Researchers, Scientists, Exchange Students, Volunteers and to receive medical treatment
  • WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR A VITEM I?
    • A) Scientists, professors, researchers and other professionals in order to participate in conferences, seminars or congresses characterized as set and defined events for less than 30 days, non-extendable, receiving a “Pro Labore” (RN n.º 101/2013, Art. 1º). Please note: If the applicant will not be receiving any honorarium for this presentation, please apply for a TOURIST VISA.
    • B) Scientists, professors, researchers and other professionals employed by foreign educational or research institution intending to participate in science, technology and innovation cooperation projects with a Brazilian institution, without a work contract in Brazil (RN n.º 101/2013). Please note: If the applicant will have a work contract, please apply for a VITEM V – WORK VISA.
    • Please note: Professors, scientists, researchers engaged in scientific and technical cooperation program must obtain from the Brazilian party an authorization from the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development – CNPq and from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation – MCT prior to applying for the visa. This requirement can be waived if the project is sponsored by a research grant from CNPq, CAPES, FINEP or other official State Foundation supporting research activities.
    • C) Fulbright teachers and researchers.
    • D) Technician, contractor, volunteer, specialist, scientist and researcher linked to official entities, private or non-governmental under the shelter of a cooperation agreement recognized by the Brazilian Ministry of External Relations (RN n.º 43/1999).
    • E) Students intending to attend regular courses held by organizations dedicated to student exchange programs. Example: Rotary International (RN n.º 49/2000, Art 1º). Please note: If the applicant will be enrolled in undergraduate/graduate studies, a VITEM IV may apply. If you qualify for both, most likely this Consulate will indicate to submit a VITEM IV visa application.
    • F) Amateur athletes over 14 and under 21 years of age, intending to take part in unpaid sport training program in Brazil (RN n.º 86/2010). Applicant must already have been enrolled in similar programs in its country of residence.
    • G) Persons intending to provide voluntary services to a religious entity, to a social services organization or to a non-profit non-governmental organization – NGO (RN n.º 68/2005).
    • H) Foreign citizens employed by a foreign entity intending to undertake professional training at a Brazilian branch, subsidiary, or the headquarters of an entity belonging to the same economic conglomerate (RN n.º 87/2010).
    • I) Persons intending to go to Brazil for a medical treatment (RR n.º 02/2000).

• VITEM II – Business visa to participate in business meetings, represent your company in a trade expo or to adopt a Brazilian minor
  • WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR A BUSINESS VISA (VITEM II)?
    • Individuals visiting Brazil for any of the following reasons without gaining any compensation in Brazil:
    • A) Business meetings, to participate or be an exhibitor in a trade/industrial conference;
    • B) Flight/ship crew members without an international crew card;
    • C) Travel for media coverage and/or filmmaking;
    • D) Adoption of a Brazilian child. Note: the custody must have already been granted.
    • NOTE: Regardless of the source of pay or if it is a “hands-on” job or not, when the trip involves the provision of services, such as technical assistance, installation, maintenance or repairs of equipment, or any work offshore, a VITEM V is mandatory;
    • VERY IMPORTANT: It is unlawful to provide professional training, technical assistance or to engage in voluntary work or any professional activities on a business visa. Transgressors are subject to heavy immigration penalties applicable in Brazil.

• VITEM III – Professional Athletes and Artists performing at an event or competition
  • WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR A VITEM III?
    • Professional athletes, artists and supporting technical staff with a previously approved work permit by the Ministry of Labor of Brazil. Exclusion: unpaid participation on amateur events without admission fees for its audience should apply for a tourist visa.

• VITEM IV – Students and Interns

• WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR A VITEM IV?
  • A) Students pursuing technical short-term studies (such as Portuguese and Brazilian Culture classes. Must take at least 15 hours of classes per week);
  • B) Students pursuing undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate academic or theological studies;
  • C) Unpaid student interns.

• Terms and Conditions:
  • Visa holders are prohibited from holding any paid job in Brazil;
  • For extended stays, of at least 6 months, the same type of visa may be issued to immediate family members. However, family members are prohibited from engaging in any paid activity in Brazil.

• VITEM V – Workers and Trainees
  • WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR A WORK VISA?
    • A) WORK VISAS WITH A PREVIOUSLY APPROVED WORK PERMIT:
      • Foreign citizens with work permit previously approved by the Brazilian Ministry of Labor traveling to Brazil as follows:
    • 1) With an employment contract:
      • to exercise remunerated employment activities (consulting included) at a legally established entity in Brazil (RN 74/07, RN 79/08 and RN 99/12);
      • to undertake temporary employment for the Brazilian Government under a contract resulting from an international agreement in which Brazil participates (RN 35/99);
      • to work as a maritime crew member aboard a foreign fishing ship leased by a Brazilian company (RN 81/08).
    • 2) Without an employment contract:
      • to assist a Brazilian company with a technology transfer contract and/or with a technical assistance services contract based on a cooperation agreement between companies, without employment in Brazil and to professionally train people or deliver technical courses in Brazil (RN.61/04 – max. stay one year);
      • to receive professional training or work experience, considered as the activity that immediately follows the conclusion of a higher degree of specialized professional education, with the objective of developing his/her competence and acquiring knowledge through practical work, for a period no longer than one year [RN. 94/11];
      • to undertake an internship (professional training) at a Brazilian branch or subsidiary of a foreign company, for a period no longer than one year (the foreign citizen will not be allowed to work in Brazil) [RN 87/10];
      • to work as a maritime crew member aboard foreign cruise ships operating in Brazilian waters (RN 71/06);
      • to work on an offshore platform as crew or back-up personnel (RN 72/06);
      • Please note: work visas may be extended to dependants of a VITEM-V visa holder or of a VITEM-V applicant under certain circumstances. It is forbidden for dependents of a VITEM V to engage in any paid activities while in Brazil.

• A VITEM V does not apply to:
  • Those receiving training on how to operate and maintenance of Brazilian-made machines and equipment, which requires a VITEM-I;
  • Professors, researchers or scientists that enter Brazil to exercise educational and/or research activities at a legal, public, private, educational, scientific or R&D institution, which requires a VITEM I based on RN 01/97;
  • Artists or athletes with an employment contract in Brazil, which requires a VITEM III;
  • Investors intending to establish themselves in Brazil, which requires a permanent visa based on RN 84/09;
  • Directors, managers, administrators or executives of a commercial or civil organization (RN 62/04), of a financial institution not based in Brazil (RN 63/05) or of a non-profitable organization (RN 70/06) which requires a permanent visa.

• B) EMERGENCY WORK VISAS (RN N.º 61/06 Art. 7º):
  • An emergency work visa may be granted to professionals requested to perform emergency technical work in Brazil due to fortuitous circumstances (extraordinary events that could not have been foreseen or prevented) which represent an imminent risk for human lives, the environment or assets of a Brazilian company or have caused a significant interruption on the production of goods or provision or services of a Brazilian company.
  • Emergency work visas may not be granted to the same person more than once in a three month period. It will be valid for 30 days and cannot be extended.
  • Emergency work visas may be granted without previous consent from the Brazilian Ministry of Labor.
  • Emergency work visa applications will only be submitted to a Consular Authority for analysis after the complete visa request has been submitted at this Consulate.

• C) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER WORK VISAS (RN N.º 100/2013) 
  • A VITEM V based on RN n.º 100/2013 may be granted to qualified professionals whose employer (non-Brazilian company) has a contract, cooperation agreement or partnership with a Brazilian company and are being requested to perform short term technical assistance or technology transfer.
  • Technical Assistance and Technology Transfer Work Visas may not be granted to the same person more than once in a six month period. It will be valid for up to 90 days and cannot be extended.
  • Technical Assistance and Technology Transfer Work Visas may be granted without previous consent from the Brazilian Ministry of Labor.
  • Technical Assistance and Technology Transfer Work Visa applications will only be submitted to a Consular Authority for analysis after the complete visa request has been submitted at this Consulate.
  • Technical Assistance and Technology Transfer Work Visas CANNOT be granted for administrative, financial or management services.

• VITEM VI – Media correspondents
  • WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR A VITEM VI?
    • Media correspondents.
      • TERMS AND CONDITIONS
        • Visa holders cannot be paid a salary by a Brazilian organization.
        • For extended stays, of at least 6 months, the same type of visa may be issued to immediate family members. However, family members are prohibited from engaging in any paid activity in Brazil.

• VITEM VII – Missionaries and Clergymen
  • WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR A VITEM VII?
    • Clergymen and missionaries with theological or academic religious education who intend to go to Brazil for religious purposes.

• VIPER – Permanent Resident Visa
  • WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR A PERMANENT VISA?
    • A) FAMILY REUNION: the following are eligible to apply for a permanent visa in order to join an immediate family member (Brazilian citizen or holder of a Brazilian permanent visa):
      • Spouse
      • Unmarried children under 21 years of age
      • Unmarried children under 24 years of age, if attending college or pursuing graduate/ post-graduate studies. Please note that eligibility depends on reciprocity of conditions ruling same circumstances in country of citizenship;
      • Children with special needs;
      • Unmarried orphan sibling, grandchild, or great-grandchild, under 21-year old;
      • Unmarried orphan siblings, grandchild, great-grandchild, under 24-year old, attending college or pursuing graduate/post graduate studies. Please note that eligibility depends on reciprocity of conditions ruling the same circumstances in country of citizenship;
      • Sibling, grandchild, or great-grandchild with special needs;
      • Parents, if financial dependency can be formally proved.
    • Please note:
      • The Brazilian sponsor must be at least 21 years-old. Those intending to go to Brazil on a permanent basis to be rejoined with their children must enter Brazil on a tourist visa then apply for a permanent visa at the Ministry of Justice in Brazil. For more information on this matter please contact the Ministry of Justice or a Brazilian family lawyer.
      • Being married to a Brazilian citizen does not automatically entitle a foreign citizen to obtain a permanent visa. If the family will not be moving to Brazil on a permanent basis, please apply for a tourist visa.
    • B) Retirement residence transfer
    • C) Work as a manager or director of a religious or social assistance organization
    • D) Personal investment in Brazil
    • E) Intra-company transferee to work as manager, director, or executive
    • F) Person of extraordinary ability in the sciences, technological, research, or academic fields, with a job offer at a Brazilian research, scientific, or academic organization.

• NOTE: Except for circumstances involving family reunion (case 1A), retirement (case 1B), or work as a manager or director of a religious or social assistance organization (case 1C), all other cases have to be initiated in Brazil (work permit authorization by the Ministry of Labor is required prior to submitting a visa application).